Thread: Running out of fuel.

I'm interested in this thread too. I own two modern diesel cars but these are the first I've ever owned and I'm 50, so I've owned a few cars through the years.

I've heard that diesels have to be bled, etc before you can start after running out but they have improved and advanced so much through the years, I was wondering if this still holds true.

Thanks,

Kev.

Originally Posted by Celtoid

I'm interested in this thread too. I own two modern diesel cars but these are the first I've ever owned and I'm 50, so I've owned a few cars through the years.

I've heard that diesels have to be bled, etc before you can start after running out but they have improved and advanced so much through the years, I was wondering if this still holds true.

Thanks,

Kev.

Is there nothing in the manual?

In my direct injection patrol if you run out you have to manually pump the fuel through by pressing a "button" style suction thingo on top of the fuel filter but it can take upwards of 100 presses, like when you prime your mower. But a lot harder.
I'd assume in more "modern" motors you might just fill up again turn on ignition so that fuel pump primes it then just crank it till it kicks in???

Maybe call some one like berima diesel and ask them?

I believe the basic fuel supply system on the 2.7 and 3.0 is basically the same.

With the 2.7 you bleed the system via a Schroeder valve in the fuel rail however in my experience this is actually not needed but is the process outlined in the workshop manual.

The lift pump in the fuel tank obviously runs when the ignition is switched on and with a couple of cycles of the ignition will push the fuel through to the injection pump pushing the air through out through the injectors when the engine is finally started. Clearly if the system has run dry it will take a little while for the lift pump to get the fuel through the whole system.

I have found that on start there is a little cranking as the air is pushed into the cylinders then when fuel goes in and it fires up.

The D4 3.0 cuts out before it runs out....it warns you.

You just refuel and once it gets over a predetermined level, crank over and it's starts. Just a long walk to the server or a call to someone to bring you some fuel.

I have seen it work.

Brett...

Originally Posted by discotwinturbo

The D4 3.0 cuts out before it runs out....it warns you.

You just refuel and once it gets over a predetermined level, crank over and it's starts. Just a long walk to the server or a call to someone to bring you some fuel.

I have seen it work.

Brett...

This works as long as you don't try to restart the car after it shuts down, until you've added the fuel (minimum of 10 ltrs?). Otherwise you'll have to bleed it via the shraeder valve.

Cheers,

Gordon

And that Schroeder valve is in the most accessible of spots (not) though you can see it on top at the back of the motor just under the windscreen where small strong fingers are the go.

Ryall

In December 2010, I filled up at Three Ways NT, and tried to make it all the way to Mt Isa. Unfortunately, I was going into a pretty string headwind all day, with quite a bit loaded on the roofrack. I ran out of fuel about 20km short of Mt Isa, and the D3 cut out. I pulled over to the verge and emptied a jerry can into it. I then did what Garry mentioned before - turned engine to "on" position and then off, about 4 times, to purge air out. I then started and drove to Mt Isa and filled up. There were no issues afterwards either.
Cheers,
Rob

Asking the service tech at Alto about this, he said:

1) It will stutter before it runs out as a warning
2) There will still be 3-4L left (I suspect that's why the diesel has a lower capacity). So just fill and start, with possible one turn over to get fuel into the rails; very unlikely to need to bleed.